Desiree and Marquise’s love started with a shared passion for traveling. Both are flight attendants and decided to join a flight attendant group on social media for black crewmembers in search of motivation, positivity, and fun.
In 2015, the group set up its first meet-and-greet weekend in Miami. Before the festivities, Desiree says Marquise randomly added her on Facebook. When they walked into Wet Willies in Miami Beach, she says Marquise knew exactly who she was and it was love at first sight.
“The chemistry was so strong, so pure in such a short period,” Desiree said. “We danced and talked the night away. We both believe in love at first sight but never thought we would experience it. I call him my Serendipity. Neither of us were looking for anything and it just kind of fell in our laps.”
Marquise agrees and said ever since they met – the butterflies never left.
In November 2017, the couple took their dream vacation to Egypt where Marquise set up a dinner on the Nile River and proposed.
15 cities in various countries, including Greece, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, and Ecuador, the couple revealed their favorite place and why:
Travel Noire: What’s your favorite country so far and why?
Desiree & Marquise: So as far as our favorite it’s tough because they are all so uniquely different and beautiful!
If we had to choose just one it would be Thailand because it was so rich in culture!
It is also extremely beautiful. The beaches and the mountains are so tropical and picturesque. The weather is very nice! The people are so amazing, friendly and humble. They literally make you feel like you are at home away from home.
Thailand is easy to maneuver, not a huge language barrier. Can’t forget about the food, it’s out of this world delicious and cheap. All of the flavors are like a little taste of heaven. There is definitely something for everyone in Thailand.
TN: What’s the best part about traveling together?
Desiree & Marquise: We would say the best part about traveling together is the surreal feeling it gives you and being able to share the adventure with your significant other. Waking up next to the one that you love in different parts of the world and preparing for the day’s adventures is an unexplainable feeling.
Knowing we are getting up to go ride camels in Egypt next to the pyramids, going on a bike rides across the Golden Gate Bridges in San Francisco to Sausalito Island for lunch or unexpectedly ending up running through the rain together trying to stay dry in Venice ( the city of water) and stumbling upon the only jazz club in the city. Sharing these travels with your soul mate is truly unmatched, it’s priceless.
TN: Tell us about one of the most challenging times you’ve experienced during your travels and how you got through it?
Desiree & Marquise: Our most challenging travel moment so far was our wedding trip. We got married in Santorini, Greece and had 35 family members and friends join us!
About 25 of the 35 had never left the United States. That being said there were misconnecting flights, lost luggage, bad weather, canceled ferry boats etc…you name it!! All unintentionally falling on us to help fix the problems at hand.
We literally had to roll through the punches, compromise and realize that nothing is perfect. It made for great memories and funny stories in the end. The wedding ended up being AMAZING despite the hiccups!! It was a great experience
TN: What countries are next for you together?
Desiree & Marquise: To be totally honest we want to go everywhere!! That’s our mission! So far on our 2020 agenda is Jamaica, and Africa ( Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa )
TN: Lastly, what advice would you give traveling couples?
Desiree & Marquise: Best advice we can give is live in the moment, adapt to the culture, get lost, stumble upon hidden gems, always be open to trying new things and do your best to just go with it. Don’t over plan! It is an adventure after all!! Anything new you can’t be ready for…it’s NEW!